The Sprout
The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 120 September 2017
The Sprout
Issue 120, September 2017
Contents
3 Letters to the Editor
5 Problem solving
7 NHPC consults: Playing Fields
15 The Replacement
17 Botley in WW2
21 Editor’s Report for 2017
25 Botley Medical Practice PPG
29 Planning Applications
31 Latest on Mace
33 2nd Botley Brownies
35 Botley Apple Day
37 Great little Gadgets
39 Randoms
43 Local Organizations
From the Editor
Autumn’s nearly here, school’s back any day now, and the Food Fayre and
Botley Apple Day are on the horizon. A letter (p3) expresses anxiety over
the rumour that Matthew Arnold School is about to take over our only
playing field, which generated a petition over the summer. The parish
council has responded with a full account of exactly what is in the wind,
and a chance for us all to say how we feel about it (p7). It is reassuring to
see the PC responding so openly and effectively. Also coming up in
September is Martin Harris’s exhibition of local photos and memories of
Botley during the Second World War (p17) – it will be interesting to find out
what stories his efforts have generated. Looking further ahead, the
Patients’ Participation Group at Botley Surgery are anticipating winter
misery and urge us not to pass up the chance of a flu jab if we are eligible
(p25). The youth of the parish seem to have celebrated Christmas already
(Brownies, p 33) and we learn that the West Way development is now not
going to start until January (p31) through concerns (among others) about
the safety of cyclists, first aired in the Sprout before being taken up in the
Oxford Mail. Lots to read then, even including some fiction: a moral tale by
a new author (p 15). Happy reading!
Ag MacKeith
Letters to the editor
Cat Attack
I would like to alert the residents near Turner Drive of a dangerous cat
living in the area. In June this year, I walked a dog on a lead past a house
on the corner of Turner Drive and Millais Road. As we walked past a black
car parked very close to that corner, a small black cat poked its head out
from under the car, startling both the dog and me. Within seconds it
launched at the dog and wrapped itself around him. I tried pulling the dog
away, but the cat was firmly attached. I finally managed to get the cat off
the dog and hold it away while I picked the dog up. When I let go of the
cat, it immediately leapt up at the dog, which was now in my arms. I batted
it away, but it tried to leap up again. I finally managed to push it away and
walk away quickly. It stayed behind, looking very pleased with itself. The
dog and I both had a number of deep scratches and bite wounds.
A very kind lady who lives in the street witnessed the attack. She came
to ask if we were okay and said that she had seen that cat attack a dog
before. I have since spoken to the police, the RSPCA and the local
council and it seems that while we would take action against a dog that
behaves like that, there is nothing that can be done with an overly
aggressive cat. It will therefore continue to roam that street and seemingly
terrorise dogs as it pleases. I felt compelled to write this letter to warn
residents of the existence of this dangerous animal and urge caution
around that intersection if walking a dog past parked cars. Unfortunately,
I went on holiday the day after the attack and missed the opportunity to
put this into the last issue of the Sprout. Hopefully, no-one else has been
attacked in the meantime! If you do get bitten, please seek medical
attention. Cats carry harmful bacteria in their mouths and you will
probably need antibiotics. It is possible that the cat’s owners are unaware
of its behaviour. My only hope is that this letter might bring that behaviour
to their attention and possibly drive them to do something about it so that
the neighbours can walk their animals in peace.
Michele Sanders
Playing Fields
You may be interested to hear that over 150 local residents, in the space
of a few hours, signed a petition last month calling for consultation by
North Hinksey Parish Council over plans to lease parts of the Louie
Memorial Upper Playing Field to Matthew Arnold School, now an
academy and located in Cumnor. At the July Council meeting residents
voiced their concerns over the lack of information on this matter, first
raised by the school last December. A resident expressed the view of
many, "I knew nothing about this…. A major impact on the area and we
know nothing about it."
John Marriott
[You’ll be reassured to find an account of exactly what is under discussion
on the following pages, John, Ed.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let us solve your problem
The last issue of the Sprout included a word of warning from a local
resident about trusting tradespeople from an advert. This, along with
some personal experiences, has prompted us to think about how we can
resolve this problem.
We are currently working to simplify our increasingly complex world by
aiming to become the “neighbour” you can trust to recommend good
people. We are hoping to set up a hub of people who can offer services
to those who need them in our community. These might include
gardening, plumbing, hairdressing, rationalising your stuff or providing
help for dealing with bereavement. Our recommendations will be based
on those who have done excellent work at affordable prices. We are
building up a bank of recommendations and will go live when we have
enough trades covered, hopefully early next year.
We already have a group of people and organisations we could
recommend based on our own experiences. Can you help us in growing
this network? If you have had exemplary service from anyone and you
would feel happy to recommend them to friends and family, please drop
us an email at botleyproblemsolve@gmail.com With the support of the
Botley community, we know we can improve access to the services the
community needs. Keep an eye on the Sprout for the next instalment.
Michele Sanders and Angie Spendlove
NORTH HINKSEY PARISH COUNCIL
Proposal for Matthew Arnold School to use facilities at Louie
Memorial Upper Field (text of a newsletter delivered to all houses in the
parish)
North Hinksey Parish Council (NHPC) is considering an agreement with
The Acer Trust, a non-profit Academy Trust that manages Matthew
Arnold School (MAS), for booking the football pitch and Multi-Use Games
Area (MUGA) at the Louie Memorial Upper Field for use during school
PE lessons and afterschool football fixtures.
The proposal currently being considered includes:
• Access by MAS to the football pitch between 8.40am and 3.05pm on
school term days, for a maximum of three hours per day
• Access by MAS to the MUGA, from 9.40am to 10.40am only, on
school term days
• Access by MAS to the football pitch for occasional football fixtures
(January – April) between 3.05 and 5.00pm on school term days,
subject to seven days’ notice, availability, good pitch condition and
permission granted by the Louie Memorial Pavilion Trustees
• A set rental fee paid by MAS to offset any additional caretaking costs
or loss of income from other potential users of the football pitch
• Agreement for MAS to maintain the football pitch to suitable standard
that ensures continued community usage - as a minimum to a
standard similar to the MAS pitches
• A trial period (to expire by April 2019) to test the impact, which is
subject to termly reviews and which can be ended at any time with
three months’ notice on either side
If agreed by NHPC, the general public would not be able to use the
football pitch and MUGA when occupied by MAS during the hours listed
above. However the surrounding footpaths and open space would remain
accessible to the public at all times.
This proposal was first brought to NHPC’s Recreation & Amenities
committee in January 2017, when a working group was set up to explore
the issues further (see overleaf for details). As the proposal has evolved
it has been brought to full Council for discussion three times (May, June,
July meetings). At the July full Council meeting further changes were
proposed that have been sent back to Matthew Arnold School for
consideration. We expect MAS to return a revised draft agreement to
NHPC for consideration and possible approval at its next meeting,
scheduled for 14th September.
To help inform our decision, we are seeking feedback from
parishioners on how they might be impacted by this proposal. We
would like to know:
• How often do you use the Louie Memorial fields?
• What do you think the positive and negative impacts of this proposal,
if agreed, could be?
• If you have any concerns about the proposal, and if so, what they are.
• Any other comments, including your overall feeling about this
proposal.
Please give us your feedback by Sunday 10th September through
this online survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LMfields2017
Alternatively you can send comments to the Parish Clerk, Mr Alan
Stone, by email (nhpcclerk@msn.com) or by post (27 Long Close,
Oxford, OX2 9SG).
Background
Currently the football pitch at Louie Memorial Pavilion is available for hire by
any individual or community organisation. The Louie Memorial fields were
given to the Council in 1939 for the purpose of sports and recreation for the
residents of North Hinksey and surrounding parishes. The fields are
accessible to the public at all times, including when the football pitch is in
use.
From September 2017 MAS will admit an additional form (approximately 30
students) per year. This will ultimately mean around 200 students more at
MAS than at present. MAS are looking for additional resources they can draw
on to meet students’ needs, including additional recreational space for PE
lessons and sports. Matthew Arnold School is the parish’s only catchment
area secondary school, and it is estimated that at least 200 children from
North Hinksey Parish attend the school.
Timeline
December 2016: MAS approached NHPC to express interest in hiring the
football pitch at Louie Memorial Fields. This would be in addition to the
current use of their own sports fields and facilities that they hire at Brookes
Sport Botley (owned and run by Oxford Brookes).
January 2017: The request came to NHPC’s Recreation & Amenities
(R&A) committee, where it was decided to set up a working group to
further discussions with MAS. The working group consists of Emmett
Casley (chair of Louie Memorial Pavilion Trustees), Cllr Caroline Potter
(chair of R&A committee), Cllr David Kay (chair of NHPC), Cllr Andrew
Pritchard (chair of Planning committee), and Cllr Voirrey Carr (chair of
Louie Memorial Fields Neighbourhood Watch group).
April 2017: After initial discussions between MAS and Louie Memorial
Pavilion Trustees, the working group met with staff at Matthew Arnold
School. Issues raised included the requirement for Louie Memorial fields
to be open to members of the public at all times, and concerns about the
impact that the school’s usage could have on the condition of the football
pitch. MAS expressed interest in supporting longer-term development of
the facilities at LM fields, though no written commitment was made. It was
agreed that MAS would explore a joint use agreement, and NHPC would
assess the space available in the upper field to see if there might be room
for future additional facilities (e.g. marking out an extra practice pitch or
running track).
May 2017: MAS sent NHPC a draft lease agreement based on standard
template, which was discussed under Urgent Business at full Council.
Councillors raised a number of concerns including the long term of the
proposal (25 years), the need to maintain Council control of the fields as
a public facility, and potential wear and tear on the football pitch. It was
agreed that a trial period to end within the current Council’s term (to May
2019) would be more acceptable.
June 2017: Cllr Potter communicated Council’s concerns in a meeting
with Ian Carr (MAS business manager). MAS agreed to the principle of a
trial period and a more flexible licence agreement with regular checks and
reviews by the Council. Cllr Potter reported back to full Council where the
issues were debated further, and it was agreed to continue the
discussions with MAS.
July 2017: MAS sent NHPC a revised draft licence agreement. The
working group with the Parish Clerk met with Ian Carr at MAS to discuss
the draft agreement in detail. A further revised version was circulated for
discussion at the full Parish
Council meeting on 27th July, at
which a petition was presented by
parishioners with 140 signatures,
asking to be consulted about the
discussions with MAS. A detailed
discussion took place between the
parishioners and councillors.
Minutes of these discussions are
available on our website:
http://www.northhinksey-pc.gov.uk
14th September 2017, 8pm at
Seacourt Hall: Next full Council
meeting, where a revised
proposal will be discussed and
potentially voted on. Members of
the public are welcome to
attend.
Caroline Potter for North Hinksey Parish Council
The Replacement
Lilly Smith is a normal girl, from a normal house with normal friends. Wait
– did I just say normal friends? Oh no – her friends were teachers!
Did I mention Lily was only 11 years old. The good thing about being
friends with a teacher is they always give you a good report, even if you
did make an explosion in science. Also when all the other kids are out in
the rain, you get to eat cake in the staff room.
However there is a problem with being friends with the teachers, all the
other kids get jealous, so you never have any kid friends to play with.
One day Lilly decided to go and play with some of the children in her
class. She approached Zoe and said "Hi, can I play?"
"Don't you have teachers to play with?" yelled Zoe. When Lilly told her
teacher friends about this, they had a word with Zoe's Mum, and Zoe had
to say Sorry.
When Zoe had come over to say Sorry, they got talking and started
laughing together, but a teacher saw them
playing together so she spread the word.
The next time Lilly got her school report it said
that she was lacking in learning and that she put
other students in danger!
Her parents were not too happy about this and
grounded her. When Lilly went to the staff room
to hang with her teacher mates, they poured
coffee on her head and made sure there was no
leftover cake to eat. Lilly told Zoe what had
happened and, although Zoe said nice things,
she had a smirk in her face.
The next day Lilly decided to go and try again
with the teachers, she would say Sorry if she had
to, but as she walked up to the door, she saw
Zoe was there sitting in the big comfy armchair
that she used to sit in, eating cake and high-
fiving the teachers! Zoe is my replacement now,
Lilly thought, and now I have no friends at all.
Ava Goldstein (aged 9)
Botley in the Second World War
Thanks again to the Sprout and its readers who helped me further during
the summer in preparing my local history WW2 exhibition. Cumnor and
District History Society will have many photos on display, showing what
life in this area was like from 1939 to 1945. I remember a few years ago,
the late Pat Halliday spoke on Radio Oxford about the plane that crashed
at the top of Yarnells Road in 1940. There were a few others that crashed
in the area (thanks to Bob Rivers for recently reminding me about this).
Cope Close street party celebrating the end of WW2, from the World
War II exhibition, Cumnor Old School, 16–17 September, 10am-5pm
Botley
School was
a senior
school in
those days,
as well as a
primary one
When it
opened in
1938, it in-
cluded two
pupils, Basil
Bateman
and Sid
Willis, both
of whom
would go on to perish in the war. Basil was my dad’s first cousin and Sid’s
sister Pat Heavens was the school’s secretary in the 1970s. It’s strange
to think that Botley School will be 80 years old next year and Matthew
Arnold School will be celebrating its 60th birthday in 2018.
I’ve also been looking at some of the Commonwealth War Graves in
Botley Cemetery. Glenys Harris (no relation) from the Women’s Auxiliary
Air Force died, aged just 19, in a plane accident at Upper Heyford (near
where my mum was living at the time) on 24 September 1945, i.e. just
after the war ended. She is buried among the male soldiers in Botley. She
originated from Trethomas in Monmouthshire. I wonder if someone in the
county still has a photo of her.
I also hope the Food Festival on the Saturday (at St Peter and St Paul’s
Church in 16th September) is a great success. I learnt about wartime food
and rationing when I went to a Mapledurham at War event last month.
Former “Bake Off” contestant Christine Wallace was delightfully
entertaining as she showed us how to cook Lord Woolton pie!
Admission is free to the history exhibition but there will be a collection for
ORH Charitable Funds which supports the different departments and
wards of Oxford University Hospitals (The John Radcliffe ,Churchill,
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Horton General and Oxford Children's
Hospital), helping to provide the best medical equipment, research and
facilities for its patients. Please do come along if you can. You can
contact me on martin.harris321@gmail.com Tel 01865 864776
Martin Harris
Thanks to Ann Thorne for this photo of her father, L/Cpl Harold Bury,
taking the salute outside the Seacourt Bridge Inn at the Armistice Day
Parade* in 1942 or ’43, from the Sprout archive. (*The name was
changed to ‘Remembrance Day’ after the Second World War.)
Editor's Report for the year 2017
This has been another successful year for the Sprout, although in time
our profits are likely to go down slightly as the population of Botley goes
up, and the lead-up to the redevelopment of the shopping centre blights
local businesses. Still, making a profit was never more than a pleasant
by-product of our magazine, and last year
we had £2000 to give to the
community in grants.
Of this, £300 helped to set up Botley Bridges – the new incarnation of our
Children’s Centre, closed down by the County Council last March.
Another new initiative, the Association for Botley Communities, received
£400 towards providing an umbrella for activities in Botley wider than the
parish boundaries. It is very satisfying to be able to support community
initiatives like these. Keeping the parish informed and supporting good
community projects make our efforts worthwhile.
Individual grants also went to Cumnor Choral, who got £250 to help them
buy music and advertising; and £250 went towards play equipment for
the playgroup at the King’s Centre on Osney, which is run and attended
largely by people from round here. We also gave £160 to the over 60s
Lunch Club to help them to buy new equipment – they provide such a
valuable service, and it’s done entirely through good will – and
contributed £400 towards Botley Medical Practice’s heart monitor. £200
went to Botley school to subsidise a whole-school trip to the Christmas
panto at the Playhouse.
The problem with writing the Editor’s report is always the dislocation
between the period covered by the accounts (November 2015–
November 2016) and my perception of the editorial content, which tends
to focus on the immediate past. This happens every time – last year for
instance I went into some detail about our wide range of contributors,
many of whom were actually writing
in 2016, not 2015. So I make no
apology for referring with some
satisfaction to some really good
articles this year in the February
issue which attracted an
unprecedented chorus of applause -
notably the fascinating contrast
between his own schooling in
Philadelphia and his children’s at
Botley by a local dad, the chart detailing different sources of help for
homeless people, and an account of the presence of a Roman Road
through Raleigh Park and up over Harcourt Hill and beyond. Not to
mention Son of SuperFly (aka Super Maggot), the last in the saga by our
youngest contributor Leah Detheridge. The Sprout is only able to flourish
through the generous efforts of its dedicated team. We would like
especially to thank Mike Cockman for picking up the reins of the
advertising from Gill Thompson when she left in September, and running
it so smoothly ever since. And Bhee Bellew and Robin Cox for managing
the deliveries; and Colin and Sally Hersom who arrange the adverts into
pages ready to insert, thus making the editor’s job a whole lot easier. Our
Editorial Team continues to be Viv Smith, Riki Therivel and Grant
Nightingale, and I am very grateful for their help. We would welcome input
from our younger readers, so if you know anyone who might like to join
us, please send them our way. Finally, my thanks to our directors –
especially to Judi Bolder for joining us – our deliverers, and most
particularly to John Clements, our priceless Secretary and Accountant,
who works so hard and asks for so little in return.
Ag MacKeith, Editor
Doctors and Patients
Botley Patients’ Participation Group (botleyppg@gmail.com) has had a
quiet July and August. The merger with the Kennington practice
continues to go well and patients are becoming familiar with the new
arrangements. Botley and Kennington PPGs remain separate, but are
moving towards merger. They have very different Terms of Reference /
Constitutions and the first task will be to agree new Terms of Reference
for a combined group.
We are entering the season when those who are eligible will be invited to
have their annual flu jab and this edition of the newsletter also publicises
the setting up of a new health walking group, Walking for Health Botley
As many residents will be aware, and as Roy and Briony Newport
affirmed in the June edition of the newsletter, Botley has been fortunate
to have a walking group since 2004, a group that meets on Wednesdays
at 9.30 am. U3A also organise walks on Fridays. The new walking group
has arisen directly out of the work of the PPG, and should be seen as
complementary to the existing groups and not in competition with them.
It provides the opportunity for a week-end walk for those who may not be
able to walk during the working week.
These two matters, flu jabs and walking, raise for me the issue of
preventive medicine, the importance of taking responsibility for our own
health when we can and of following advice from all members of the
medical team about actions we can take to keep ourselves well. It is easy
to forget that many, if not most, advances in health well-being have come
from public health measures and not from advances in the management
of acute illness. Thus was the case with clean water, the eradication of
smallpox, the emergence of vaccines against common illnesses such as
mumps, measles, rubella and polio, the introduction of seat-belt
legislation, the ever tighter controls on driving (notably drink-driving) and,
more recently, the drive to reduce smoking, to name but a few
examples. Some issues remain to be tackled effectively, notably misuse
of alcohol, obesity arising
from excessive eating of junk
food and sugar, and the new
scourge of diesel emissions.
All require active Government
intervention, frankly.
The great majority of medical
time, both in general practice
and in hospital medicine, is
spent in preventive work and
in the management of long-
term illnesses (such as heart
WALKING FOR HEALTH BOTLEY
Starts: Saturday 23 September then
every 2nd and 4th Saturday
9.45 am, meet at WI Hall in North
Hinksey Lane
About 2 miles long. For fast and slow
walkers. Led by 2 accredited walk leaders.
Car parking available. For more
information: www.walkingforhealth.org.
uk/content/walking-for-health-Botley
Or email: doumechehall@hotmail.co.uk
or lung disease, diabetes, musculo-skeletal disorders, diseases of old
age such as dementia, neurological diseases such as epilepsy, multiple
sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, and mental illnesses such as bipolar
disorder and schizophrenia) and not in the management of acute short-
term illnesses.
I was reminded of this recently when I had my annual review with a
practice nurse for long-standing coronary artery disease and
hypertension. I have been lucky medically, at least so far. Having had
triple bypass surgery at the (relatively) tender age of 52, my high
cholesterol, which led to clogged-up arteries, has been managed with
statins and anti-hypertensives, and I am subject to regular review and
blood tests. These reviews are important, as are any reviews for a long-
standing condition, and such appointments should always be kept.
Similarly advice re immunisations, or screening tests for cancer such as
bowel screening or cervical screening, should always be followed. Such
recommendations are not made to fill the time of practice staff but
because they are of proven preventive value.
Which brings me back to flu jabs and walking. Take doctors’ advice. Use
it or lose it, as the saying goes!
Harry Dickinson, PPG chair, writing on behalf of Botley PPG. (The views
expressed are not necessarily those of the Medical Practice.)
LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P17/V1647/HH
13A Chestnut Road. Loft
conversion to 1st floor flat.
13 June
P17/V1679/PDH
29 Hutchcomb Rd. 1-storey rear
extension.
14 June
P17/V1758/FUL
Riverside Court 9 West Way. Re-
clad west elevation. Alter windows.
21 June
P17/V1808/FUL
62A West Way. Conversion of loft
into flat (revised scheme).
26 June
P17/V1862/O
Land at Yarnells Hill. Erection of 5
x detached family dwellings incl
access.
4 July
P17/V1917/FUL
and
P17/V1916/LDE
Field End Harcourt Hill. Demolish
garage & pool house, replace with
detached garage, pool house &
play room.
6 July/13 July
Target
Decision Date:
31 Aug
P17/V1897/HH
12 Cherry Tree Court Chestnut Rd.
New roof space room with rear
dormer and gable build up.
7 July
TDD: 1 Sept
P17/V1987/HH
44 Arthray Rd. 2-storey front
extension & single & 2-storey rear
extension.
13 July
TDD: 7 Sept
P17/V2063/HH
11 Hutchcomb Rd. Extend existing
extension to side, replace lean-to,
add porch. Bi-fold doors instead of
window.
20 July
TDD: 14 Sept
P17/V2017/HH
East Cottage Harcourt Hill. 1-
storey side extension, front porch,
new fencing to A34 boundary.
21 July
TDD: 15 Sept
P17/V2144/HH
1 Yarnells Rd. 2-storey extension at
side & rear 1-storey extension.
28 July
TDD:22 Sept
P17/V2078/HH
106 West Way. 1-storey rear
extension to existing bungalow.
31 July
TDD 25 Sept
P17/V2188/LDP
20 Eynsham Rd. Conversion of
existing 2 flats to single dwelling.
4 August
TDD: 29 Sept
P17/V2189/LDP
Highview Vernon Avenue. Rear
Garden Terrace & Canopy.
4 August
TDD: 29 Sept
P17/V2137/HH
4 Tilbury Lane. Remove
conservatory. New 2-storey & 1-
storey side extension & 1- storey
rear extension.
14 August
TDD: 9 Oct
West Way update
There is still no definite date for the redevelopment of the West Way
Shopping Centre. Since our last update in July not much has changed
except for the sad sight of our small local businesses continuing to close.
This is because Mace’s changed phasing plan required the closure of the
central area and temporary relocation of the supermarkets and chemist,
with room for only another 3 or 4 businesses during the construction
period. Work was planned to start in July and so shops were given the
end of June as a closure date but with delays this now means we have
an increasingly empty centre and reduced facilities.
The application under review now is for the change of use for the Grant
Thornton and Elms Court buildings to house the supermarkets, Baptist
Church and Seacourt Hall. That consultation closed on 29th June and
there are a number of comments lodged, including objections centred on
safety for cyclists and pedestrians around the proposed new left turn into
the site. The proposed turning is intended for use by shoppers’ cars and
deliveries. The application was targeted for discussion at the Vale District
Council planning meeting on 23rd August but is not on the agenda for
that meeting so at this point we do not know when it will be discussed.
These delays and the increasingly derelict centre are a source of concern
and frustration for many of us. We will keep up pressure on both the
developer and councils to address the issues of transport access and
safety and cyclists to ensure we get the best centre for Botley.
Please, stay in touch via our website, Facebook and Twitter.
facebook.com/westwayconcern and twitter.com/westwayconcern. To join
our mailing list, email: Westwayconcern.wordpress.com;
Lorna Berrett, co-chair, West Way Community Concern
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not very likely! Can you spot any truths smuggled into the following
passage by a Sprout correspondent?
“As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year.
Men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy
men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn’t wash the wigs,
so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell,
and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy,
hence the term ‘big wig’. Today we still say ‘here comes the Big Wig’ to
suggest someone is powerful and wealthy.”
Time-travelling with the Brownies
Doesn’t time fly? Well it must do because since I last wrote 30 of us have
celebrated Christmas! It all took place one weekend in Gloucestershire.
We had a fully decorated house (complete with tree and lights) for the
festive occasion. We were joined by six girls from 1st
Botley Brownies
and Guides from two other units. We arrived on “Christmas Eve” and
before bedtime that night we had already spotted Father Christmas
putting in an appearance when he delivered mini sacks filled with cookies
for all the girls.
We introduced the
non-2nd
Botley
Brownie members to
our first night’s
traditional wide
game which must be
played in the semi-
darkness for the
flashing ice cubes to
show where the
clues were hidden.
This time they were
based on the carol
the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Guides, who were each heading up
a Brownie team, were very quick at finding the far-from-easy solution
using the clues collected by their teams.
For the first time in many a holiday we even managed to have a camp fire
outside using real wood. This may not seem much of an achievement to
you but believe me it was because usually every time we decide on an
evening to allocate this activity to it goes and rains. We have tried to hold
it early in the holiday, in the middle or at the end and even if the days
have been lovely and sunny it always goes and rains before we can hold
our campfire. We have sometimes got as far as having the campfire set
and ready to go when from nowhere a huge rain cloud will appear and
spoil our plans. So this time we were delighted to be able to have a good
old sing song followed by summores and hot chocolate.
As part of the Brownie Holiday badge the girls are supposed to make a
souvenir or two so this holiday they were not disappointed as we had
some very crafty Guiders with us which allowed us to make 3D stars,
snowflakes, silhouette lanterns, pine-cone table decorations, coloured
placemats, peppermint creams and rice-krispie Christmas trees.
As the next day dawned we woke up to Christmas Day so after the chores
were completed we dressed for our Christmas lunch. Just like Christmas
Day itself we had a guest arrive so that at lunchtime 31 of us sat down to
a lovely roast complete with seasonal table decorations and accessories.
(Thank you Mr Tawny for your fabulous
cooking again!). The only concession this
year was that his much-requested crumble
was actually made by Barn Owl (rather than
Mr Tawny) that morning.
Boxing Day dawned and we played another
wide game based on the Nativity (written by
Little Owl who is training to be a Leader).
Much hilarity ensued and then after an
outside game of bingo and another yummy
meal it was all over for another year.
Lucy Howes
Brown Owl adds: A very special award was
also made following the Christmas Lunch to the author of this article. All
the leaders and girls were assembled in the sitting room to join in with
Tawny Owl (Lucy) being awarded her 30-Year Service Badge.
Well done and Thank-you Tawny Owl.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Apple Day
Sunday 8th October, 2 – 5pm
South View, Old Botley, OX2 0JR
Let’s pluck till time and times are done,
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun,
The dusty apples of the ring-road…
Bring apples and containers and join the party of choppers and
juicers. Also bring good apples to share and store. Apples and
pears identified. Everybody welcome, with and without apples.
Great Little Gadgets – Spiraliser
I have a weight problem, and my spiraliser helps me with it by replacing
pasta with less calorific veg such as celeriac (my favourite), courgettes,
and carrots.
It works like this: a chunk of veg (1) is mounted between a small static
cylindrical blade and a rotor with sharp spikes. The rotor is turned with a
handle (2), and as the veg turns, it is pressed against a vertically mounted
blade with help from another handle (3) at the base of the rotor mount.
Veg ribbons tumble out of the left hand side of the machine.
The picture shows a piece of celeriac being sliced into thin ribbons with
one of three static blade attachments which slot into grooves in the two
cylindrical uprights (4). The other two attachments create noodles or
spirals.
1
2
3
4
Swede can’t be spiralised with this machine because the spikes on the
rotor cut through the brittle vegetable rather than gripping and turning it.
Many makes of spiraliser are available.This one is by Salter. It has flexible
sucker feet which secure it strongly to the work surface. Lifting it off is a
bit of a struggle, during which one or more suckers can sometimes be left
behind and have to be screwed back in.
Grant Nightingale
Randoms
Waterblitz
Volunteers needed for one day only! Schools, local groups and
individuals are invited to take part in the county wide water blitz. Check
the water quality of your local stream, pond, ditch or river and help build
a water quality picture for Oxfordshire. For your free sampling pack
register today by emailing hilary@wildoxfordshire.org.uk subject
"Waterblitz" and join in on Monday 2nd October. EarthWatch have
volunteered to handle the data and map all results on their global water-
hub with the resulting data available to everyone involved.
Training and Work Experience opportunities at Hill End
A new employability course is starting at Hill End, the 65 acre outdoor
education centre in Farmoor, which since July 1st has become a
charitable trust. The course will give learners the opportunity to gain work
experience in areas such as horticulture, grounds maintenance and
hospitality. Help will be available on topics such as career exploration and
applying for a job. The course will take place 1 day per week, starting
August, but you can join anytime in 2017. It is expected each learner's
course will last for up to 12 weeks. As long as you are currently
unemployed all learner costs are funded and there is no charge. This is
thanks to funding from the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding
Agency. There will also be help with travel expenses and lunch provided.
To find out more please visit www.hill-end.org/cando or alternatively call
01865 863510 and ask to speak to Kim.
FREE fortnightly Environmental Email Bulletin
For the latest conservation news, evening talks, or an afternoon of
volunteering, plus jobs and training sign up to Wild Oxfordshire's email
bulletin. Just click on their website www.wildoxfordshire. org.uk
Clare Mowbray, Wild Oxfordshire
Botley W.I.
At our meeting on 4 July Catherine Hitchens gave a fascinating talk about
the way humans have shaped our countryside over millennia: "History
through the landscape."
Our next meeting will be on 5 September, when the talk will be given by
Martin Sirot-Smith on the topic of "Food & drink in Tudor Times."
On 19 September the walking group will meet at Hythe Bridge at 8pm, to
walk to Wolvercote and back along the river.
Alison Jenner
Seacourt Hall Management Committee
Nominations Sought for Public Representatives
Seacourt Hall is managed by a Committee of Trustees (Seacourt Hall
Management Committee), made up of representatives of North Hinksey
Parish Council, Hall Users and public representatives. At the AGM on
27th September (730pm at Seacourt Hall) 2 members of the public will
be elected by those eligible and present at the AGM.
Nominations should be sent to the Secretary before 5pm on 13th
September. This can be by post in the letter-box at Seacourt Hall or by
email to michael.cockman@gmail.com.
If anyone would like more information in advance, including the
responsibilities of being a trustee, they can call Michael Cockman on
07766 317691.
Friends of Raleigh Park
The Friends will hold their 2017 AGM at 7.30pm on Thursday 14th
September, in the Louie Memorial Pavilion, Arnold’s Way. Our speaker
will be Bob Cowley, of the Friends of the Trap Grounds, who will give an
illustrated talk on 20 years of conservation work in the Trap Grounds. The
meeting will also elect new Committee members, and there will be
opportunities to discuss the Wild Oxford project and the impressive
changes it has made to the Park, proposed housing developments near
the Park, and changes in the cattle grazing.
We need more active members to run the Friends, join in working parties
and help with wildlife surveying. Come and join us, and help make
Raleigh Park a better place for the whole community!
Stephen Parkinson, Chair, Friends of Raleigh Park
News from Cumnor Choral Society.
I'd like to tell you of this term’s exciting Concert programme. We will be
performing the wonderful Brahms Requiem (in German) and are once
again joining forces with our fellow musical colleagues Great Milton
Singers and Wheatley Choral Society. This will be a thrilling experience
to sing with a large choir and we are inviting newcomers to come and join
us! We are renowned for our friendliness, so don't be shy! Our rehearsals
start on Friday September 15th and there will be two performances, one
in Thame on Saturday November 11th and the other in Botley on
Saturday 2nd December. If you want to find out more, then please contact
either Marion Owen, our Chairman, by phone on 07552 786127 or by
email on marion.owen@mypostoffice.co.uk or Monica White on 07791
141662 or m.white14@ntlworld.com We look forward to hearing from you.
Monica White
Cumnor Minors football club
Has been offering football and fun to local children for many decades.
Now they want to up their game and bring in more parents and local
residents to try out new ideas like:
• A partnership with Cumnor Cricket Club that offers kids a year-round
opportunity to play our national sports
• A new Executive Committee with new roles that bring local expertise
into the club
• Using the clubhouse as a pop-up café.
• Introducing disabled football to The Closes
If you love what football does for kids and what it means to their health
and wellbeing, and would like to be part of the new initiative, get in touch
with me by email at stevemoore66@outlook.com by phone on 07759
590113
Steve Moore, Transition Secretary
Peace of mind for parents
Botley Bridges is running a baby and child first aid course on 14th
September. There will be a session in the afternoon from 1–3, repeated
in the evening between 7–9 (cost £12). The course will cover choking,
CPR, serious bleeding, head injuries, poisoning and childhood illnesses,
and you can book via coordinator@botleybridges.org or by phoning
07498 563636.
At Botley Bridges we have aimed to provide some of the activities and
services lost when the Children's Centre closed earlier this year. As we
are no longer funded by the County Council, we have to rely on the money
taken during sessions, and to apply for charitable grants to provide this
service. Some grants are given on the understanding that we can show
how we are helping families in the community and we have to write
reports for this purpose. If you have used our summer holiday
programme, please spare a couple of minutes to give some feedback
either by sending a private message on Facebook or in an email to
coordinator@botleybridges.org. All comments will be treated in
confidence. Many thanks in advance for your support.
Sue and Hayley
Botley Food Fayre
Locally sourced produce, bake-off competition, hot street food, music,
demonstrations, children’s entertainment. To find out more, address your
enquiries to judithbtbowden@virginmedia.com or check out their
Facebook page. It’s a busy weekend – you can go from there to the local
history exhibition in Cumnor Old School 10–5pm on 16th and 17th Sept.
Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details
to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion in future
issues. telephone 724452 for inclusion in future issues.
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Fiona
Wheeler, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6 -7.30 : Alison
Griffin 01865 379247
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
Scout Hall, Arnolds Way; mail@thefourth.org.uk
Website: http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Meet Fridays, Botley Baptist Hall Contact: Julie Tatham
01865 863074 or Amy Cusden 07887 654386
Badminton Club
Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry Clark
0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com
Books on Wheels R.V.S.
Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142
Botley Baby & Toddler
Group
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.15–11am, SS Peter & Paul
Church Hall
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@ sky.com or
Brendan Byrne Ox.792531 bb@bridewellconsulting.com
Botley Health Walks
Wednesday 9.30 a.m Contact: Briony 246497
Botley Library
01865 248142. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,
otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).
Botley Singers
Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela
Astley-Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com
Chair-based Exercise Class
Tuesdays 10.30 – 11.30 a.m. Seacourt Hall
Contact Lizzie, Oxon Age UK, 07785 425601
Community Fridge
For all. Put food in, take food out. Ss P&P church, Mon–
Sat 9–5, Sun 11–5. Riki Therivel 07759 135811
Cumnor Choral Society
Friday 7.30 to 9.30 pm Contact: 01235 533726 or
07552 786127 or www.cumnorchoral.co.uk
Cumnor Chess Club
Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett
862788 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Cumnor & District Historical
Society
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old
School. 01865 724808
Cumnor Gardening Club
Details on website at http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or
phone Chirs Impey, 01865 721026
Fit Steps – exercise based
on dance
Friday 6–7pm, Seacourt Hall. Email Rosalie on
rosalie.crane@btinternet.com
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Wed 7.30 at Appleton village hall. C. Casson 01235
831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
Hill End Volunteer Team
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org, call
01865-863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
Let’s Sing! – singing group
Weds 2pm, WOCC, details Emily 07969 522368
or email emformusic@outlook.com
Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
Mum and Baby Yoga for
babies from 6 wks to crawling
Mondays 10.30 at Dean Court CC, contact Jacqueline
Rice via https://yogawithjacqueline.co.uk
N Hinksey after school club
Mon–Thurs 3–6pm Contact: Oxford 794287
N Hinksey Art Group
Weds 10 – 12.00 W.I. Hall Tel: Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers
Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
Meets at weekends. Contact Voirrey Carr
07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of
Annual Cricket Match & Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Horticultural
Society
Contact: Ann Dykes 01865 251821
anndykes@hotmail.com
N Hinksey Parish Council
Alan Stone 01865 861992 nhpcclerk@msn.com
N Hinksey Youth Club
Wednesdays at Arnold's Way pavilion, call Daz on
07791 212866 or see Facebook
Over Sixties Lunch Club
Every other Thursday. Seacourt Hall. Marina Bennett
01865 242312
Oxford Flood Alliance
R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035
Oxford Flower Arranging Club
4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: 01865 865259
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays, twice
monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jamesy1976@hotmail.co.uk
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis
Club, N Hinksey
Family club: Melanie Riste 848658 or
melanie_riste@hotmail.com
Parkinson’s Disease Soc
Contacts: Julie and John Tailor 01865 763394.
Raleigh Park, Friends of
David Brown raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk
Royal Voluntary Service
(West Way Day Centre)
Mon & Fri 10–3pm, Field House, 07740 611971.
oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Saturdads
Botley Bridges
Fun activities and trips for Dads and under 5’s
10 am–noon 1st Sat of month. Tel: 243955
Shotokan Karate club
6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall Banso
tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
West Oxford Bowls Club
Contact: Marion Bostock 436277
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall
07815 899698 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A
(Uni of the 3rd Age) Elizabeth Stevens, 739252
